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The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested two individuals for allegedly impersonating military personnel in separate incidents in Yenagoa.
DSP Musa Mohammed, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed in a statement on Friday, February 20, 2026, that operatives attached to the Ekeki Division arrested Kelechi Lazarus, 25, who was dressed in military camouflage with the rank of Corporal. Lazarus allegedly attempted to fraudulently withdraw ₦200,000 from a Point of Sale (POS) operator at Ekeki Park, Yenagoa, using a fake bank alert.
According to the police, the suspect showed the victim a purported credit alert on his mobile phone as proof of payment. The POS operator, however, did not receive any corresponding alert and verified with her bank, which confirmed no such transaction occurred. Lazarus then suggested going to his base at 16 Brigade. The victim, suspecting foul play, refused, and the suspect assaulted her, causing bodily injuries.
“The Bayelsa State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor psc, IICFIP, FOOSI, has recorded significant operational success in curbing criminal activities,” the statement read. “Upon search, illicit substances were recovered from Lazarus. Investigation revealed he had allegedly defrauded several people in different states using similar tactics. Verification with the Military Police of 16 Brigade confirmed that he was a dismissed soldier from 82 Division, Enugu, in 2024. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation before prosecution.”
In a related incident on February 16, 2026, troops of 16 Brigade arrested Isah Aliyu Umar, 25, a native of Bauchi State residing in Kaduna, at the 16 Brigade Mosque premises. Umar had been parading himself as a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy across several states. A search revealed falsified documents, a Navy name tag, multiple SIM cards, passport photos, camouflage and Navy trousers, three National Identity Cards, and fake certificates, including a DNV Management System Certificate and a report claiming ownership of $7 million by Ganjuwa Gorond Global Enterprise. Umar is currently under investigation at SCID, Yenagoa, and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the probe.
The Bayelsa Police Command has urged the public to be cautious of individuals impersonating security personnel without proper identification. Anyone with relevant information is advised to report to the nearest police station.
